New Ulm, in extreme western Austin County, grew after 1845 by an influx
of German-speaking settlers from nearby communities such as Industry,
Shelby, and Nassau Farm. During the 1850s the agricultural community
had six general merchandise stores, five blacksmith shops, three breweries,
three cabinetry shops, and a cigar factory. The arrival of the railroad
in 1892 brought markets for the regions farm goods. Today the population
is around 650.